Economic development group implores candidates to think of the job-creators

The New York State Economic Development Council has published a new report on the need for an innovative approach to stimulating New York’s economy and is sending it to the gubernatorial candidates of the two major parties and to the candidates for Senate and Assembly.

The report, “Leadership for Jobs”, is a first of its kind for the group. It emphasizes that the state’s reliance on giving financial incentives in the form of grants and tax breaks isn’t enough to create new start-ups and promote expansion.

Brian McMahon, executive director of the council, said the report was deemed necessary because the state’s economic growth has been weak for 60 years and private sector job growth has been virtually non-existent in some upstate metropolitan areas.

The report notes that the state needs strong schools and not-for-profit organizations and partnerships with universities. “The next governor should be a strong advocate of implementing SUNY’s new strategic plan, “The Power of SUNY”,” the report states. The council urges the next governor to choose carefully when selecting the next leader of Empire State Development Corp. who should appoint regional economic development professionals.